Colo. Mathews having determined to visit Saint Louis,
affords an opportunity for me to tender my congratulations on the safe
arrival of Gov. Lewis in this territory, believing as I do that his
arrival will be to you no small gratification, in as much, as you will be
releaved from much of the responsibility heretofore attached to your
office. Colo Mathews deeply feels the outrages lately committed on
his property and the insults offered his person, and depends much
on you to see him remunerated for his losses. I have expressed to
Messrs. Mathews and Hart my belief that they would find in you
a firm advocate, and that Gov. Lewis would doubtless take prompt
and efficient measure to attain them redress, I cannnot but express
my hope that our Gov. will deliberately investigate the wrongs they
have suffered from the agents of Smith and Brown, and cause
restitution to be made them, suffer me also to add that no act of
violence within my knowledge equals the one committed on those
gentlemen, as well as on the authority of the U. States, such outrages
unnoticed has created the most sovereign contempt for the constituted
authorities, and imbolden the perpetrators of repine and discord to
continue these outrages. I trust I shall be excused for expressing
my solicitude on this occasion as Messrs. Mathews and Hart leased
lands of the U States by my advice, and in consequence I consider
myself in some measure instrumental in placing them in the situation
in which they now stand, I have always expressd my confidence in
the Justice of the General Government, also my firm belief that Gov.
Lewis and yourself would shield them from the daring attempts of
Smith and Brown, nor can I yet believe I shall find myself
disappointed in my expectations of the just intentions of the Executive of
this Territory, you are fully apprized of my determination
(heretofore made known to you) not to interpose in any wise as to
appointments that might be contemplated for this district, either civil
or military, yet such is, my extreme concern on seeing the bold
attempts to again introduce John Smith T. into office that I cannot
remain silent, it appears to be a principle adopted by the General
Government that all persons who have in any manner associated
with Aaron Burr, ought to be divested of all authority, nor trusted
with confidential offices under the Government, that John Smith T.
did actually enter into the views of Burr, (in my opinion) may be
established by concurring testimony sufficiently strong to convince
every man in this district friendly disposed towards the U. States of
the impropriety of his holding an office under the Government, the
advocates of Smith have a double object in view, by reinstating him
in office, they expect by so doing to fix a stigma on the Secretary of
the Territory, and prove to the World that his removal from office
arose from personal motives and not from any improper acts of his,
they also expect to regain a complete ascendency over this District,
and create a breach between the Gov. and Secretary which, is said
and impressed on the minds of the people has already taken place,
and that Gov. Lewis has expressed his dissatisfaction of the
secretary's conduct—thus you see the engines of discord are in motion
to influence the people against every man that has dared to act in
contradiction to the will of the Ex Secretary and his friend Smith.
I cannot but feel deeply impressed with the importance of the present
question, whether John Smith T. shall be reinstated or not, a
question of no small consequence in my estimation, my confidence in the
correct views of Gov. Lewis are such that until I am convinced by
seeing Smith clothed with the ensigns of his office, I will not believe
him reinstated in the-confidence of the Governor, altho proclaimed by
a thousand tongues.